BOOK OF HOURS similar games & best alternatives

BOOK OF HOURS

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac • 2023

Should you play it?

Restore a crumbling occult library by a winter sea. Build the world’s foremost collection of grimoires and arcana. Master the invisible arts. BOOK OF HOURS is a narrative crafting RPG set in a 1930s world of hidden gods and secret histories. What sort of Librarian will you choose to be?

What works
  • Deep, immersive lore and worldbuilding
  • Relaxed, cozy atmosphere
  • Engaging crafting and experimentation
  • Rich narrative and exploration
  • High replayability and player freedom
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve and opaque mechanics
  • Clunky ui and navigation issues
  • Tedious note-taking required
  • Repetitive late-game progression
  • Lack of in-game organization tools

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Strange Horticulture

  • Hypnospace Outlaw

  • Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

  • Sable

  • Mudborne: Frog Management Sim

  • The Witch of Fern Island

  • Wytchwood

  • Stacking

  • The Talos Principle 2
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure

  • Penko Park

  • ShantyTown
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

BOOK OF HOURS: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Expression, Strategy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to explore, experiment with time loops, and make choices affecting story progression and character interactions."

    Capsule for In Stars And Time In Stars And Time

    "Players have freedom to experiment, choose their own pace, and explore the library and lore without forced routines or time pressure."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game requires significant brain usage, skillful play, and learning of complex mechanics and puzzles, with feedback through gameplay success."

    Capsule for Get Stuffed! Get Stuffed!

    "The game requires mastering complex mechanics, crafting, and puzzle solving, rewarding skillful experimentation and knowledge acquisition."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal progression, exploration, and discovery without competitive elements or comparison to others."

    Capsule for House House

    "Focus is on personal discovery and pacing without competitive elements or comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long sessions and habitual play, with addictive gameplay and ongoing progression."

    Capsule for Galaxy Burger Galaxy Burger

    "Many players report long sessions and habitual play due to addictive lore, exploration, and progression."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -3

    "Game is primarily single-player with minimal social or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Silly Linguine Cat Simulator Deluxe Online Silly Linguine Cat Simulator Deluxe Online

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player and self-directed with minimal social or cooperative interaction."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players engage in puzzle solving, exploration, and character customization through skill trees and equipment loadouts, encouraging creative problem solving."

    Capsule for Full Metal Furies Full Metal Furies

    "Players engage in extensive crafting, organizing, and experimenting with books and items, fostering creative problem solving."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Hyper Light Drifter Hyper Light Drifter

    "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strongly serves as a relaxing, cozy escape with immersive exploration and magical fantasy elements."

    Capsule for The Witch of Fern Island The Witch of Fern Island

    "Strongly serves as a cozy, immersive escape into a mysterious occult world, away from real-life stress."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and curiosity, with no obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for The Black Watchmen The Black Watchmen

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and curiosity, with no pressure or obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay involves experimenting with mechanics and discovering new solutions through trial and error."

    Capsule for Stephen's Sausage Roll Stephen's Sausage Roll

    "Core gameplay revolves around trial, error, and discovery of new combinations and mechanics."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay is discovering new rooms, secrets, and clues throughout a large mansion."

    Capsule for The Inheritance of Crimson Manor The Inheritance of Crimson Manor

    "Players uncover new rooms, secrets, and lore fragments in a large, mysterious mansion."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Players express themselves by organizing and decorating spaces, customizing item placement and room layout."

    Capsule for Unpacking Unpacking

    "Players customize and organize their library and collections, expressing personal style in arranging books and rooms."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in a mystical world with spiritual and mythical themes, featuring imaginative fiction and supernatural elements."

    Capsule for Outland Outland

    "Set in an occult, mystical world with arcane lore and supernatural elements, evoking imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community interaction within gameplay."

    Capsule for Sultan's Game Sultan's Game

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community engagement within gameplay."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills, character builds, and knowledge of game mechanics through progression and experimentation."

    Capsule for Shadow Warrior 2 Shadow Warrior 2

    "Players develop skills, knowledge, and understanding through reading, crafting, and experimentation."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    Capsule for BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and active management rather than background or idle play."

    Capsule for FOUNDRY FOUNDRY

    "Requires focused attention and active management rather than background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Social interactions are minimal and surface-level, with limited emotional sharing or close relationships."

    Capsule for Cadria Item Shop Cadria Item Shop

    "Limited social interactions; relationships are minimal and surface-level."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or authoritative roles; gameplay is individual and self-directed."

    Capsule for Superliminal Superliminal

    "No leadership or authoritative roles; gameplay is self-directed without managing others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring skills, equipment, and unlocking new characters and content."

    Capsule for Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER - Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER -

    "Strong emphasis on acquiring books, skills, and unlocking new areas and endings."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    4

    "Widely described as a relaxing, cozy, and meditative experience."

    Capsule for Bus Flipper: Renovator Simulator Bus Flipper: Renovator Simulator

    "Generally described as cozy, meditative, and relaxing despite some complexity."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable art style, sound design, and atmospheric elements provide sensory pleasure."

    Capsule for Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy

    "Enjoyable art, sound design, and atmospheric effects provide sensory pleasure."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or status systems; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for Cooking Simulator VR Cooking Simulator VR

    "No social recognition or status systems; focus is on personal achievement."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Rich lore and narrative with quests, faction conflict, and unique setting contribute to narrative immersion."

    Capsule for Allods Online Allods Online

    "Rich lore and narrative fragments encourage immersion and piecing together the story."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires logical thinking, planning, and problem solving to progress."

    Capsule for King's Quest™ Collection King's Quest™ Collection

    "Requires planning, problem solving, and logical thinking to progress and optimize."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay is calm and controlled with minimal suspense or risk."

    Capsule for Tree Simulator 2023 Tree Simulator 2023

    "Lacks suspense or risk; gameplay is calm and controlled."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players find good value in the depth, challenge, and immersive experience."

    Capsule for Green Hell Green Hell

    "Players find great value in the deep lore, replayability, and immersive experience."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destruction; gameplay centers on constructive activities."

    Capsule for Lumberjack's Dynasty Lumberjack's Dynasty

    "No combat or destruction; gameplay centers on constructive activities like cataloging and crafting."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

    "Stable, low-risk environment with no threat of failure or death."

    Capsule for Wylde Flowers Wylde Flowers

    "No threat of failure or death; stable, low-risk environment."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026